1941-01-13 Anton Christoforidis w pts 15 Melio Bettina, The Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, USA - NBA. Referee: Joe Sedley. In a savage and bloody contest for the vacant title, Christoforidis (168½) made a slow start while trying to work his southpaw opponent out, but by the fifth he was beginning to find the range. Getting off solid right hooks, he began to hurt Bettina (174) and in the seventh the latter was cut over the left eye. The battle was fairly even with first one man then the other picking it up, before Christoforidis came on fast in the latter rounds with two-fisted body attacks that forced Bettina to the ropes. In the 13th session, Bettina had been at his best, but after having the round deducted for butting the Greek had the advantage, eventually being awarded the unanimous decision. Following this result, Abe Greene, the Vice President of the NBA, stated that he would be asking the NBA executive to work with the NYSAC in deciding the next American champion when Billy Conn officially abdicated.